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TO YOU
By Kyle Farrell
“May God bless you all, may God bless our veterans, and may
God bless our united states of America”. These were the final re
marks from the first ever female Four-Star General Wolfenbager as
she concluded her speech. General Wolfenbarger was one of many
females who entered the Airforce Academy for the first time in
1976. Before then, the Airforce was strictly men. General
Wolfenbarger was promoted to four-star general on June
5, 2012.
As a part of The Chancellor’s Distinguished Speaker’s list,
General Wolfenbarger recapped her time as a cadet up until
the present day merits that she has acquired. “My experience in the
academy put me through trials and through those trials I am far more
capable than I ever thought I would be,” Wolfenbarger.
There has been significant changes in the airforce since 1976 when
General Wolfenbarger entered the academy for the first time. In 1980,
women made up about 10 percent of the Airforce. Currently that number
has almost doubled as women makes up about 19 percent of the Air
force. Another significant change in the Airforce was the addition mater
nal leave. The Airforce now grants both maternal and paternal leave to
those in their sector of military.
When asked by a student “Where do you think the younger generations
will deploy and fight next?” General Wolfenbarger responded “We an
swer the nation’s call, no matter where that call may be; whether it be
warfighting or humanitarian work”.
Tara Jaime, a cadet in the US army ROTC here at FSU was among the
many who has been inspired by General Wolfenbarger’s speech.
“General Wolfenbarger has shown that the nation is making an effort to
thrive for democracy through armed forces, she encourages me to thrive
for success at her level and pass it on to generations to come”.
The Chancellor’s Distingushed Speaker Series
continues as follows:
Jan. 22 at 6pm ~ Bob Zellner
Feb. 5 at 2pm ~Dr. Cornell West
March 12 at 2pm ~Hilda Pinnix-Ragland
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